Bush interviews Democrats for Cabinet, prepares White House, security

Published: Friday, December 15, 2000

RON FOURNIERAP Political Writer

WASHINGTON {AP} -- Victory secured, President-elect Bush invited a Democratic senator to Texas for a job interview and tinkered Thursday with the final components of his White House and national security teams.

Sen. John Breaux, D-La., under consideration for energy secretary, will visit the incoming president Friday in Austin, Texas, as part of his promise to reach across party lines after the fiercely contested campaign against Vice President Al Gore, advisers said.

Plucking a Democrat from the Senate would embolden Republicans in the chamber, which will be split 50-50 next year. Republican Gov. Mike Foster has been put on notice by the Bush campaign that he might be called on to appoint a replacement for Breaux, GOP officials said on condition of anonymity.

Marsanne Golsby, Foster's spokeswoman, denied that the Bush campaign has alerted Foster of that possibility. "That's just absolutely erroneous," she said.

Bush aides said no Cabinet or White House announcements would be made Friday, but the weekend would bring new names and faces to the Bush team.

The senior White House staff is pretty well set, and soon to be announced: Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser; Karen Hughes, a senior adviser; Josh Bolton, policy director; Larry Lindsey, top economic adviser; and Ari Fleischer, chief spokesman. Each worked on the campaign.

Texas Supreme Court Justice Al Gonzales, former lawyer for Bush in the Texas governor's office, is mentioned as a potential White House counsel. Campaign strategist Karl Rove's role has yet to be determined.

There's little secret about Bush's first Cabinet pick. Retired Gen. Colin Powell will be named secretary of state as early as Saturday, advisers said.

Bush's choice for secretary of defense is less certain, though former Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana has emerged as a leading candidate, according to senior Republicans with ties to the Bush campaign. He is friendly with Vice President-elect Dick Cheney, who is running Bush's transition team.

Once the president-elect turns to the economic posts, campaign chairman and Bush pal Don Evans is a virtual lock for commerce secretary unless he decides he doesn't want the job, according to advisers.

Breaux has not ruled out accepting a Cabinet post, though officials familiar with preliminary discussions between Bush and the senator say they suspect Breaux won't take it. He may be more likely to promote Johnston as a candidate and bend Bush's ear about Medicare reforms.

Throughout Washington, Republicans were trying to guess who would get what jobs. Names and rumors were swapped at warp speed.

"It doesn't do anybody any damage to get mentioned as a possible Cabinet secretary. It's good for business if you're a lawyer or lobbyist and good for your ego if you're not," GOP consultant Eddie Mahe said.

Cheney suggested that Bush could have his Cabinet in place by Christmas, though he said, "I don't want to set artificial deadlines."

Ahead of him still:

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Montana Gov. Marc Racicot impressed Bush with his loyalty and smooth touch as a chief advocate during the recount dispute. Conservatives prefer Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, a former FBI agent and Justice Department official, or outgoing Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft. Virginia Gov. James Gilmore has been mentioned, too.

DEFENSE SECRETARY: Other than Coats, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Armitage, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, a Democrat, have been mentioned. McCain and Nunn say they don't want the job. Wolfowitz and Armitage served under Cheney when he was defense secretary. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is another prospect.

TREASURY: No favorites here. Walter Shipley, retired Chase Manhattan Corp. chairman, PaineWebber chairman Donald Marron and John Hennessy have been mentioned. Hennessy served as a top policy-maker on international matters at the Treasury Department in the Nixon administration and his was a big donor to Bush.

EDUCATION: Kress has been mentioned, along with other Democrats. Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci, a GOP ally of Bush, is under consideration for this and other administration posts.

TRANSPORTION: Rep. Dunn's name has made the rounds, along with outgoing Michigan Sen. Spencer Abraham.

HUD: Stephen Goldsmith, former Indianapolis mayor and longtime Bush booster, is mentioned most for the post.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Gov. Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin and Gail Wilensky, a former Health Care Finance Administration chief, get a lot of attention.

INTERIOR: Republicans like to mention Racicot, and the governor's stock rose during the Florida recount. Outgoing Sen. Slade Gorton of Washington is mentioned a lot.

AGRICULTURE: A good place to put a conservative Democrat, possibly Stenholm. Several Republicans are also considered prospects.